What are the Causes of Back Pain?

If you’ve ever had some form of back pain, you know how debilitating it can be. When your back hurts, it can be challenging to walk, bend over, lift objects or even sit down without pain and discomfort.

The causes of back pain vary and identifying the cause is key in determining how to treat your pain. Many cases of back pain are minor and require little more than medication, rest and light stretching and exercise. More severe cases, though, require medical attention and professional treatment to reduce pain and improve your quality of life.

At Whatcom Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will work with you to help reduce back pain by helping you rebuild the strength and flexibility of the muscles and ligaments that support your spine. This is beneficial for patients of both minor and major forms of back pain.

Common causes of back pain

Your physical therapist or physician will recommend treatment based off of factors like your age, medical history and nature of your pain. This means that knowing the cause of your back pain will help a lot in developing an effective treatment.

Common causes of back pain include:

• Strain — Poor posture, repetitive motions or extreme activity can cause strain in the muscles and ligaments of your back. Often, this kind of pain is minor and temporary, but it can be intense and long-lasting.
• Herniated or ruptured disc — The jelly-like discs between the vertebrae in your spine can burst or slip, which causes pressure on the nerve that can lead to pain.
• Arthritis — Arthritis can cause pain in the joints of your body, and this can include your spinal cord as well. It can also cause your spinal cord to grow more narrow which puts pressure on the nerve and causes pain.
• Osteoporosis — This is a condition that is common in patients who are older females. It causes the bones to grow more brittle, which can lead to painful fractures in the spine.
• Sciatica — This is pain that stems from the lower back into your leg due to pressure on the sciatic nerve in your lower back.  
• Spinal conditions — Other conditions like scoliosis or degenerative bone disease can cause damage and pain to the spinal cord.

Are you suffering from back pain related to any of the conditions above? Are you experiencing pain but are just not sure why? Do not hesitate to reach out for help. Contact Whatcom Physical Therapy today to speak with one of our team members about scheduling an appointment for your assessment.